Sondra Dale Miller

Sondra Mckee Miller lived a full life as a devoted wife, loving mother to three children, beloved grandmother “Ghee” to four grandchildren, and a fun-loving aunt and friend to many. She passed away peacefully the morning of June 14, 2021, at the age of 84.

Sondra was born on January 20, 1937, in Woodbury , New Jersey; the youngest of three sisters. She was fiercely independent, sociable, resilient, a good listener, loved Elvis, and always enjoyed being in the good company of others.

She adored her siblings, Betty and Helen (a.k.a. “The Poobahs”), whom she kept in daily contact with her whole life. In 1958 on the summer solstice, Sondra married Jacques Miller, a thoughtful, loving, and patient engineering graduate from the University of Maryland. Together they raised three children: Michael, David, and Jackie in Florissant, Missouri. While raising a family and working full time, Sondra earned her degree in nursing. As a registered nurse, she thrived in caring for others and her natural leadership skills led her to be promoted to be the Director of a retirement facility.

In 1990 Sondra and Jack retired to the Jersey Shore. In Brigantine, New Jersey, they created a sunny golden paradise for themselves and for everyone who came to their home. Their home was always surrounded by the ocean breeze, and filled with everyone’s favorite foods, warmth, and laughter. It was a Happy Place where she shaped memories that will be cherished forever because of her spiritedness (or her “gift of gab” - as she would say), commitment to keeping up traditions, and her intentional ability to listen to others with genuine enthusiasm. She also spent her golden years traveling the world, faithfully participating in church activities and volunteering at Hope House in Atlantic City.

In January 2021, she moved into the Collingswood Retirement Home where she shared a room with her husband. Upon arrival, Sondra announced, “There’s a new sheriff in town and it’s Sondra Miller”. She kept her husband and the nurses on their toes. Sondra spent her final days with her husband Jack enjoying each other's company, participating in community activities, visits from family and reading the Bible together.

Sondra is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jacques Miller, her loving companion for life; her three children, their spouses, and children: Michael Miller (St. Louis, Missouri), David and Aruna Miller (Darnestown, Maryland), Jackie Lesko and Barry Schuster (Collingswood, New Jersey) and her four grandchildren: Meena, Chloe, and Sasha Miller, and Jack Lesko. Sondra will be deeply missed and forever in the hearts of her family, her best friend since third grade, Helen Huesser, and countless others.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 1:00 PM at the Blake-Doyle Funeral Home in Collingswood, New Jersey followed by burial at the Lawnside Cemetery in Pilesgrove, New Jersey.

“Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night,

Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home." ~Elvis